What If We Take Away The Doomsday Factor? Does That Make A Difference?
Day 7
If the Earth is terminal then we know what we must do; help coming generations get off the planet to a new extrasolar home. I still need to address how, and I will address that (Here is a major hint: it has something to do with love). But the point that is so important is this… we have a driving meaningful important if not urgent purpose that is beyond ourselves; we must help save future generations!
Now let’s play a new game. What if we take away the doomsday factor? What if we say that the Earth is safe, at least for next 3 or so billion years? What then is our driving purpose?
When presented with this new scenario we will inevitably discover that our driving purpose is exactly the same. But first let me tell you what our driving purpose is not. It is not merely individual gain. It is not nationalistic survival or global dominance. It is not just the perpetuation of our clan, religion, culture or species.
Whether the Earth is in imminent danger or if it is relatively safe for the next billion years or so the most important thing that we can do is to insure the wellbeing of future generation! When I say this I do not mean just to perpetuate the human species. I believe that humans have move beyond evolution.
All other animals engage in the frantic evolutionary task of perpetuation of the species (the cycle of birth, reproduction, and death) and survival of the fittest. But for humans there is something more. I alluded to this when I asked why a woman lives a full third of her life postmenopausal. Clearly she has finished her evolutionary task…what more could there be? But she doesn’t die when she is done with reproduction. She lives a full third of her life after her childbearing years! Why? She no longer conforms to the evolutionary pattern.
Another indicator that humans have moved beyond evolution is the development of the human mind. How is it that we have such far ranging future thoughts and are able to plan and develop such ambitious goals? Our brains and its functioning have developed way beyond merely perpetuating the species. Human have moved into a post evolutionary phase.
There is more to life than just surviving; we have future plans to make. This ability that we have is divine in nature and gives us the driving purpose that is beyond ourselves. It is a thrilling, dynamic way of being. Let us explore this idea together more.
You spiritual exercise for today is to count the number of people you come in contact today. How many of them are tapped into the idea that future is worth living for? Give one example of someone you meet today who is excited about the future.
I love you – Bryan
